Traditional Chinese Medicine & Cirrhosis of the Liver

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Cirrhosis of the liver

Cirrhosis of the liver is the final outcome of a damaged unhealthy liver a consequence of many factors. While the causative agents of liver cirrhosis are extremely diverse, including alcohol, viruses, drug effects, venous outflow obstruction or hereditary causes, the final outcome is unique: irreversible liver damage. While modern medicine struggles to reach an ultimate effective treatment or reversal for cirrhosis, we may seek the help of traditional Chinese medicine for this purpose in helping to heal and or slow down the stages of Cirrhosis

Functions of the liver in TCM terms

When we are discussing the role of the liver in terms of traditional Chinese medicine, we will consider it as an organ with its physiological and pathological manifestations in relation to other systems. These include the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), peripheral nervous system (nerves emerging from our spinal cord), and circulatory system. Here are the functions of the liver described in traditional Chinese medicine:

1. Ensures free flow of Qi or life energy:
Metabolism in the liver is regulated through four processes: Ascending, descending, entering and exiting. The liver dominates in dispersing the Qi by performing these functions:

• Regulates emotional activity: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotions are linked to unhindered flow of Qi. When this flow is sluggish or stagnant, symptoms such as depression, moodiness, excessive worrying, belching or sighing may occur. An increase in Qi conduction creates increased emotions like headaches, anger, flushing, agitation or insomnia.

• Aids digestion and absorption: Liver performs this function with the help of bile production as well as the ascending and descending function of free flow through spleen and the stomach.

• Promotes normal flow of Qi, blood and body fluids: These three elements are in a constant state of flow. This depends on the physiological function of the liver, spleen, heart, lung, spleen and kidneys.

2. Storage of blood
The liver controls the volume of blood circulating within the body and performs the function of blood storage. This is regulated according to body requirements. There is more blood circulating during high levels of activity levels and more blood is stored during rest. Insufficient blood can lead to symptoms like limb numbness or scanty menstruation. Extra blood can lead to symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting blood), hemoptysis (coughing up blood), epistaxis (blood from nose), and excessive menstruation.

3. Housing the Hun (ethereal soul)
For a healthy mind and body coordination, hun (soul) and shun (mind) must be in balance. They both take blood as their material basis. If less blood is stored, the hun can’t be housed leading to symptoms like hallucinations, fright, disturbed sleep, sleep talking and sleep walking.
4. Dominated tendons, manifests in the nails
This implies relaxation and contractions of the tendons and ligaments are linked to the liver. A liver under stress can cause sluggish limb movements, numbness, impaired joint flexibility, spasms, and tremors. According to Traditional Chines Medicine, nails are the outward manifestation of tendons. When the liver has ample blood and is functioning at peak capacity, the tendons will be supplied with ample blood and the nails will get their nutrition. If liver is deficient in blood, the nails will be pale, brittle, soft, deformed (clubbing), and fragile.

5. Opens into the eyes
The liver meridians end in the eyes, so the eyesight and ocular system very much depends on liver health and circulating nutrients. Liver blood deficiency may cause blurred vision or night blindness. Similarly, inflammation of the liver leads to congestion, painful and itching eyes. Dampness in liver and gall bladder may cause yellow sclera.

TCM treatment for cirrhosis of liver.

“Ji Ju” (Aggregation) or “Gu Zhang” (Drum Distension) are the terms used for cirrhosis in TCM.

The purpose of Traditional Chinese Medicine is to prolong,strengthen and slow the compensated stage of cirrhosis to prevent progression into the decompensated stage or Late-Stage Liver Cirrhosis. Those in the decompensated stage may also benefit with various Chinese herbs to fight liver complications or help reverse the progression backwards to a compensated stage.

Cirrhosis of the liver is divided into the following types according to the signs and symptoms produced and the Chinese Herbs used to treat each type:

1. Liver and spleen deficiency
Symptoms of loss of appetite, abdominal pain or bulging, belching, fatigue, agitation, nausea and vomiting are observed in this type. The Chinese herbs used to treat this type is Xiao Yao San.

4. Spleen deficiency and kidney yang
The symptoms of this type are milder in morning and worse at night. They include fullness and distension of abdomen, poor appetite, greenish yellow complexion, cold extremities, lower limb edema, fatigue, thin and weak pulse. Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan and Wu Ling San can be used if there is more spleen deficiency and Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan with Wu Ling San used in problems with kidney yang.

5. Liver deficiency and kidney yin
Enlargement and distension of the abdomen, prominent superficial abdominal vasculature, dry mouth, dull complexion and thin weak pulse are the symptoms observed in this type of liver deficiency . Yi Guan Jian and Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang are Chinese herbs used for treatment of this type of cirrhosis of the liver.

Cirrhosis of the Liver Prognosis

Cirrhosis of the Liver,depending on which stage of the disease may present, may even be healed,slowed considerably and the many side effects lessened by using a range of treatments form Western to Eastern treatment options, from modern day drugs, careful diet consideration, traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs, acupuncture and health supplements and many more.

Here, I have attempted to give you an idea of the possibilities Traditional Chinese Medicine can have on Cirrhosis of the Liver and that it has been used successfully to work with patients in conjunction along with these other treatment options.

About Claire

Hi there, I am Claire and this is my Cirrhosis of the Liver site. This is such a devastating disease and I have presented as much information as I can on all aspects of this dreadful disease in an easy to understand form.
I feel strongly we need to have all the information available to us to make informed choices that are just right for us and suits our lives at this moment in time.
I will include different healing ideas from both the Western and Eastern healing modalities in the hope there is a nugget of information that will help you on your path of understanding and life balance.
Kind regards,
Claire